I'm BACK!

Several years ago when I started this blog I primarily wrote about my running/training life.  Not that I'm was or am an elite athlete.  I wrote for myself, but I also wrote to tell a story about how even ordinary people can meet goals, run races, and sign up for the "impossible" and make it happen.

My "impossible" was first a marathon (yep I trained and ran a marathon will little experience).  I didn't start with the 10K or the 1/2 marathon, I went right to the "big race"- the Chicago Marathon.  This was back in the day when anyone could get into the Chi-town Marathon.  I ran my first marathon in October 2003.  It was a slow race, in my book, 5 hours 34 min and 55 sec. I cried at the end.  I was so overwhelmed at accomplishing this feat.  Three years later, 2006, 4 hours 52 min 10 sec .  Then Chicago Marathon 2009 4 hours 31 min 38 sec.  Chicago marathon 2011- 4 hours 27 minutes 8 sec and last Chicago Marathon 4 hours 23 minutes 11 sec in 2012. 

I then took a break and did a bunch of 1/2 marathons and some sprint triathlons.  I again decided to take the leap and signed up for a 70.3 triathlon-  half-iron man distance.

August 2014 I did a 70.3 triathlon that solidified me feeling like I had accomplished something in the athletic world (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run).  It took me 7 hours an 11 minutes.  Again I wasn't fast compared to my peers but I accomplished something.   This was the race that it finally hit me- the last 13.1 miles of running... " I am a runner".  As fate would have it a month later I would find out my ACL was torn for the second time in my life and I would undergo a second ACL surgery on top of the realignment of my tibia- non-weight bearing for 6 weeks.

Fast forward to 2019- 5 years later I'm again running.  I've decided for my own "me- ness" I need to prove to myself I can do another long distance race.  Per my orthopedic surgeon's recommendations back in 2014 he really didn't see long distance running- marathons- in my future (had arthritis of a 60 year old on MRI at 38 years of age).  So I've decided 13.1 miles will have to do.

I wanted to do it right so I did PT for 2 months and pretty much got told my right butt cheek needed to learn how to "fire again"- and so began a lot of strengthening of that right butt cheek (you need it to run).

Today I signed up for a 13.1 race and my training plan began last week.  Due to being older and me being off running for almost 5 years my speed really SUCKS!  This is humbling, but my "coach" and "logic mate" aka husband- reminded me "do you want to finish healthy or is it about the time".

So I'm BACK!  I'm BACK running, I'm BACK writing about being an ordinary person trying to reach a goal.  It, I'm sure, will be an interesting ride, but I'm really working on focusing on the positive- you can run, you are pain free, you are accomplishing something.

Today I ran 4.25 miles and it felt like 8 miles.  My legs were tired, and I was dehydrated, heavy legged, and feeling old.  However, I felt happy and OK with my progress.  I started as a 5 hour 34 minute marathoner, and ended up 9 years later running it over an hour faster.   Progress.

Cypress Park Tamp, Florida

PROGRESS!

January Reads

This year's reading goal is a little different.  It is two parts.  One- I have so many TBR (to be reads) on my actual shelves in my library that I've decided this is going to b the year of buying no books- yep you heard me right.  I cancelled my BOTM subscription.  I'm staying away from Barnes and Noble and Prairie Lights bookstore.  I'm wanting to enjoy the books I've purchased or been gifted.  Two- I'm going to open some pretty large/long books.  Currently I'm reading  John Irving's "A Prayer For Owen Meany" - 637 pages paperback.  Since I'll be reading longer books I'm not going to be focused on the number of books. 

Those things said I did end up reading quite a few books in January and one is my all time favorite. Hope you are enjoying your 2019 reading experience.

Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale

I love Hallmark Christmas movies so during the month of December I probably watch more TV and DVR more movies than I do the rest of the year.  Along with my Hallmark Movie love I enjoy reading books at Christmas that have some of the same feel as those movies.  This one didn't disappoint- 4 stars.  Abbie is a single mom who cares for Caroline, her home health care patient.  Caroline just happens to be the grandmother of Nick Sinclair- the millionaire bachelor in the town of Richmond, VA.  I'm sure you can see where this is going.  It was predictable, but I sometimes like/need predictable.  I also enjoyed the banter between Abbie and Nick, along with some added characters to this Christmas story.  Great way to start my 2019 year in reading and finish out the holiday season.

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by Stephanie Perkins, Holly Black, Ally Carter

I had my name on the hold list for this audiobook and it finally came in right at the beginning of the new year.  There are twelve short stories by different authors- some authors I'd heard of others I didn't know. I think there were only two stories from this compilation that I started listening to and then skipped over because they weren't my style.  The holiday themed stories from different perspectives and subject mater were great.  I think this is a perfect holiday read/listen- 4 stars.  

Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny

I want to meet Armand Gamache one day.  He is the leading character in Louise Penny's detective series.  I recently listened to a podcast with her talking about how she based Armand's character off her own husband.  Her husband died in 2016 and she wasn't sure she was going to be able to write another Armand Gamache book after his death.  Then one day she just started writing.  This book became that writing. 

Her writing style is psychology+anthropology/history + realism.  It is a great series and this book, although not one of my favorites, didn't disappoint.  Armand is at it again- figuring out a murder while multiple back stories are occurring.  Louise despite the multiple story lines writes so clearly there is no confusion!- 4 stars ( I doubt I'll ever be able to give her less as I so love Armand Gamache).

Climbing the Stairs by PadmaVenkatraman

I've already previously posted about this book.  You can go to this post to read more details: http://imchattynatty.blogspot.com/2019/01/multicultural-childrens-book-day.html.  I do again want to thank the author for sending me her book to review for Multicultural Children's Book Day.  MCBD occurred on January 25, 2019.  This was their 6th year.  The group was founded by Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book and Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom.  Their mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids' books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educations.  4 stars

Beach Music by Pat Conroy

I read this book first in my early 20's, again in my 30's and then now in my 40's.  The answer doesn't change.  It's my favorite.  Pat Conroy's writing style is detailed, but I don't feel it weighs the story down.  He weaves multiple stories and subject mater into one great book.

Why reread a book when I have so many on my TBR?  I had an upcoming podcast to record where I'd be asked to share my top 3 books.  So I wanted to make sure this one was still at the top.  This time I decided to listen to it.  The audio version, at first,  seemed a little heavy on the Southern accents of the characters who inhabit this book.  Despite the story starting in Italy the main character, Jack McCall, has not lost his South Carolina accent.  As the story went on I was so drawn in to the story I really didn't notice the heavy emphasis on accents anymore.  

This is a love story with leading man Jack McCall and his deceased wife Shyla Fox leading the way for the entrance of many other characters into this book.  It's a story that takes place in different time zones: Italy, and South Carolina and different eras throughout.   It is a story that covers: marriage, mental illness, the holocaust, Vietnam, alcholism, ecology, family (functional/dysfunctional), friendship, and love.

I found out recently that critics didn't find this book appealing when it was published (1995).  It was to overwritten and overwrought.  I think it's elaborate nature is what I love(d) about this story. Another reminder that what critics think may not translate into my reading life.  So grateful to have a book I love and continue to love throughout multiple decades of my life. 5 stars

One Day In December by Josie Silver

One of the Bookies so generously let me borrow this book.  I found this book a great comfort during the crappy weather of January.  This book had been touted as a book like "Love Actually" (one of my favorites).  So I had to get my hands on it.  

Laurie and Jack meet in a glimpse on a December night.  She's on a bus and he's outside looking in.  They connect and the story revolves around that chance meeting.  I thought it was heavier and had more substance than a Hallmark movie.  I enjoyed it- 4 stars.

Yoga Mind: Journey Beyond the Physical, 30 Days to Enhance your Practice and Revolutionize Your Life Forever by Suzan Colon

I had read this book back at the end of 2018 with a friend and when I saw Suzan was hosting a Yoga Mind Challenge the first month of 2019 I jumped at reading it again.  This time I actually worked on journaling and following some of her exercises on a daily basis.  I was not bored and gleamed more information about myself in this second reading.  Don't let the title scare you- this book isn't about Yoga Poses or flow, it is really about how practicing Yoga can be a part of your daily routine and the main focus I think is breathing and centering your life.  Highly recommend it- 5 stars.